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Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Review: Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre

Everybody say YEAH - a musical with heaps of heart, irresistible style, killer songs and a sensational cast has opened in London's glittering West End! Kinky Boots transfers from Broadway where it opened in 2013, winning six Tony Awards including Best Musical.

It's about time Kinky Boots, which is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, found its way to London as the piece is inspired by a true British story and adapted from the 2005 British film. Set in Northampton, we meet Charlie Price who inherits his father's shoe factory which is on the verge of bankruptcy. To save the factory and the jobs of his friends and colleagues, Charlie needs to find a new niche market... which he discovers with a little help from Lola, a drag queen in need of some sturdy stilettos.

Unlike recent musical Bend It Like Beckham which enforces stereotypes for cheap laughs, Kinky Boots breaks down boundaries and makes you realise that we're all just the same. It sounds cheesy, but Kinky Boots is incredibly empowering and uplifting. At first Kinky Boots seems like a light-hearted fun show, but as it unfolds there are some tender moments which play out beautifully. Kinky Boots is the best feel good show since Legally Blonde.

Cyndi Lauper's score is an absolute dream. Not only have her lyrics supplied us with enough Instagram hashtags to last a lifetime (our current favourites include #everybodysayYEAH #thesexisintheheel and #justbewhoyouwanttobe), but she has written hit song after hit song. I can't remember the last time I saw a musical featuring so many infectiously catchy musical numbers!

It's a totally new sound for musical theatre. Perhaps a couple of Sondheim obsessives will have a heart attack, but I have fallen in love with the upbeat melody driven music which is regularly played on full blast in West End Frame Towers, as well as the stunning ballads which are written with sincerity.

Book writer Harvey Fierstein has done a tremendous job. Some of the one-liners are absolute genius whilst the poignant scenes are written with great heart. The book has been adapted ever so slightly for British audiences. As a piece of theatre, the story flows smoothly and never drags.

Praise the lord for Jerry Mitchell who, in my opinion, is the finest director/choreographer we have working on either side of the Atlantic. His passion and energy is the driving force behind the show. If there's one thing Mitchell knows how to pull out the bag, it's a huge production number. He surpasses his previous work on Legally Blonde and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with his staging of 'Everybody Say Yeah' and 'Raise You Up/Just Be' which close the first and second acts with almighty bangs.

When I saw Kinky Boots on Broadway last year I couldn't imagine anyone else playing Lola other than Mr Billy Porter. However, I was well and truly blown away by Matt Henry's performance. He was on FIRE, commanding the stage from his first entrance to his final bow. You can feel that when the audience first meet Lola they are a little taken aback, but within seconds Henry wins everybody over. This is his show and he smashes it out the park. His comic timing is astoundingly brilliant, his vocals are exceptional and he looks seriously sassy in Lola's fabulous costumes. A star has arrived.

Originating his third West End role in as many years is Killian Donnelly who puts his own stamp on Charlie Price. Donnelly is also very funny and you can't help but get behind Charlie as he chooses to save his father's shoe factory rather than move to London with his girlfriend (played superbly by Amy Ross). Donnelly's vocals are also on point, with his second act rendition of 'Soul Of A Man' making quite an impression.

Amy Lennox is a revelation as Lauren, a factory worker who develops a crush on her new boss, Charlie. Lennox has completely made the character her own. Her rendition of 'The History of Wrong Guys' is out of this world - I lost count of how many mid-song applauses she received. Lennox brings the house down and steals scene after scene, even when she just has one line. She is phenomenal.

The entire cast give their all. I love that all ensemble members have individual characters and each receive their own moment in the spotlight. Particular stand outs come from Jamie Baughan as Don, Michael Hobbs as George, Paul Ayres as Harry, Chlöe Hart as Pat, Verity Quade as the Stage Manager and Gillian Hardie, who has one of the funniest lines in the show (which I won't spoil), as Trish. All of Lola's Angels are slick and showcase immense talent, with Marcus Collins impressing with his riff-tastic vocals during 'In This Corner'. Each and every person onstage performs with flair and individuality, fully embracing the musical’s spirit.

When I saw Kinky Boots on Broadway last year, the Wednesday matinee audience were absolutely crazy. As British audiences are usually a little more reserved I was expecting the response to be tamer over here. However, it felt like five or ten minutes was added to the running time as the audience repeatedly stopped the show with huge applause and endless laughter. During some scenes every other line evoked extreme audience reactions and at the end of the night everyone on all three levels of the Adelphi Theatre shot to their feet without hesitation. Last year Kinky Boots even managed to bring out the wild side of my usually reserved mother who bolted off in the interval to fight her way to the front of the merchandise queue to buy a 'Sex Is In The Heel' t-shirt which she now walks the dog in with pride. I adore the effect Kinky Boots has on audiences, it provides the ultimate fun night out.

Telling a story of love and acceptance, Kinky Boots shatters stereotypes whilst providing an evening of glorious entertainment. Kinky Boots feels at home in London, it is the best new musical to have opened in the West End for years and has all the necessary ingredients to be a monster hit - the sex is well and truly in the heel!